Ludlow, MA (September 7, 2026) – Two people were killed Saturday night, September 5, after a small plane went down in a wooded area near Center St in Ludlow.
The aircraft came down around 9:30 p.m. Callers in Ludlow and Belchertown reported hearing a low-flying plane and what sounded like a crash. The aircraft had initially been reported missing.
A Civil Air Patrol pilot later helped locate the aircraft using a beacon receiver while traveling with police. Drones were then used to pinpoint the wreck in a remote, wooded area off Center St.
The two people were found dead Sunday morning inside the Piper 28A. The aircraft came down in roughly four feet of swamp water. The names of those killed had not been released.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board were notified and are working with state police, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, and local police to determine what happened. Christopher Hyldburg of Hyldburg Aviation told WBZ-TV that the people aboard and the aircraft were connected to Alpha-One Flight Services, which operates a flight school and rents planes.
The plane was traveling between Plymouth and Northampton when the collision occurred. The investigation into the cause of the accident remains underway, with additional findings expected as the review continues.
Our deepest sympathies go to the families and loved ones of those who died.
What Is Reviewed After a Small Plane Accident?
Investigators examining a small aircraft accident typically review the aircraft’s maintenance records, flight history, and operating details. They may also examine weather information, communications, navigation data, and the pilot’s qualifications.
The aircraft itself can provide useful evidence. Parts may be examined for mechanical failures, damage patterns, or signs of problems that developed before the flight. Fuel systems, engines, controls, and other components may also receive close examination.
Information from witnesses can help establish what happened during the final moments of a flight. Records from air traffic services and available tracking systems may provide additional details about the aircraft’s route, altitude, and speed.
Weather conditions can also be significant, particularly for flights conducted at night. Investigators may compare reported conditions with the aircraft’s planned route and operating limitations before reaching conclusions about what caused the accident.
